Batting machine



Sept. 16, 1952 E. R. ovERMAN 2,610,688

f BATTING MACHINE Filed July 21, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l L E. OVEHMAN,

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E. R. OVERMAN BATTING MACHINE Sept. 16, 1952 Filed July 21, 1947 Sept. 16, 1952 E. R. OVERMAN BATTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 21, 194'? ATTORNEY E. R. ovERMAN 2,610,688

BATTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTOFNEK Sept. 16, 1952 Flled July 21, 1947 Patented Sept. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BATTING MACHINE Earl R. Overman, Wabash,'Ind. ApplcationvJuly 21,'1947, Serial No 762,362

17 Claims.

The present invention relates to a batting manally slitting a stream of rock -wool or the like,

thereafter applying to one surface of each stream a sheet of adhesive-coated paper, thereafter compacting each strip, and y thereafter transversely cutting the strips intov predetermined lengths, the machine being so constructed as to perform all-of these operations automatically, and being quite ilexible as regards the widths of the strips formed andthe lengths of the pieces cut therefrom.

The primary object of the present invention. then, is to provide a machine of the character described. Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the'above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. and

that change may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view `of a complete machine constructed in accordance with my inf vention:

Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof, the upper part of the ligure being taken upon a plane vnear the delivery end ofthe machine andthe lower part of the iigure being taken upon a parallel plane near the input end of the machine;

of another detail;

Fig. 5 is a. longitudinal section of the machine;

upon a reduced scale;

Fig. 6 is a broken fragmental perspective view showing the means for adjusting the compacting unit;

Fig. fI is a fragmental perspective view of one end of the machine;

Fig. 8 is a fragmental perspective view of the means for causing movement of the boom;

Fig. 9 is a fragmental perspective view of the boom-carried supplemental platform;

Fig. 10 is a fragmental perspective view of the means for transporting the flying knives;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged, broken perspective 'of means for mounting knives ona shaft; and

Fig. '12 is a wiring diagram.

. Referring more particularlyjto the drawings,

it will be seen that the machine of the present invention comprises a frame including longitudinally extending bed members 20, 20 supported upon standards 2l, 2l at one end and 22, 22 at the other end,` 'as well as longitudinal frame members 23, 23 parallel with, and located above, the members 20. Journalled in'suitable bearings supported on the frame, and extending transversely of the frame adjacent the input end thereof is a shaft 24 carrying a sprocket 25 (Fig. 2) driven by a chain 26 from a motor 2l. It will be obvious that any other form of driving means may be substituted to drive the shaft 24.

The shaft 24 carries sprockets supporting one end of an endless conveyor 28 which, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, comprises a pair of chains supporting a plurality of transversely extending metal bars upon the outer surfaces of which are mounted wooden slats; but the particular construction of the conveyor 28 does not form a part of the present invention. The opposite end of the conveyor is supported upon a shaft 29 (Fig. l) suitably journalled in bearings mounted adjacent the output end of the frame.

Near the input end of the machine is mounted a transversely extending shaft 30, the ends of said shaft being supported in shoes 3| (Fig. 3) slidably guided within the inturned flanges of the uprights 2|, 2l. At least one of said uprights is formed, as shown in Fig. 1, with a vertically extending slot v32 through which said shaft 30 projects to carry, outboard, a V-pulley 33 driven by a belt 34 from a V-pulley 35 carried on the spindle of a motor 36 which motor, in turn, is mounted upon a platform 31. The platform 3l is supported upon a bar 38 (Fig. 3) whose opposite ends are likewise xed to shoes 3i. A transversely extending frame member 40 is perforated to receive slidably a pair of guide rods 4l,each of which is threaded near its lower end for engagement with a nut 42 formed or welded upon the bar 38, and each such rod is provided at its upper end with a head 43 en- Y gageable Awith the frame member 40 to limit downward movement of the bar 38.

Journalled upon kthe uprights 2l, 2 I, above the j frame member 40, is a shaft 44 carrying a crank 45 upon which is mounted a ratchet wheel 46 with which cooperates a pawl 41 (Fig. l). Two cables 48 are secured to the bar 38 and project 'through openings in the frame member 40 to be wrapped about the shaft 44, the ends of `said Vcables being fixed to said shaft as at 49.

Obviously, the crank 45 may be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l, to lift will be described hereinafter.

"into proximity to Vthev lowerrnost 3 the assembly including the shaft 30, motor 36, and bar 38, and the pawl and ratchet may be used to hold that assembly in any desired position of elevation. The rods 4l may be properly adjusted to limit downward movement of the assembly.

Any desired number of disc knives 50 may be mounted upon the shaft 3D in any desired spaced relation along the length ofsa'id shaft. Suitable meansv will be provided for holding each knife in a selected position of adjustment on the shaft, and one preferred form of holding means A feedingplatform is indicated in Fig. 1 at 5l, said platform' being suitably supported above the level of the Y vided with slots 52 corresponding to the positions of the knives 50. Each knife projects into a slot 52 so that. as a stream of mineral wool is fed along the platform' 5I toward the conveyor 28, vit' ."will v"enconnter the knives and willbe 'supportedabove the lowermost dge'sof s 'aid knives,

v whereby the 'stream will, be completely 'severed a pomtjspaced longitudinally beycnd the ives, 'just`describ'ed, afpair of uprightg 53 Will jbf'suppbrted' between filename 'members 2c 'and Aby 'sai-d nprights Said roller'is maintained at an elevated temperature by the substantially continuous injection thereinto of steam at a'des ired temperature. The means for supplying heat totheroller 5 4 isfshofwnl in detail yin Fig. 4, wherein it is to be seen that o ne end .of the'roller formed Lwith an afxial por+u 55 vsealed by a gland 55 into the outer end o fwhich is threaded a tube -a 4passage 5S -jfo'rrned in said tting and comvinunicating Awith 'a'Y drain ipipe k67. VSaid pipe '65 projects-throughthe pipe 51, out of contact therewithjand' sointo the Uroller '54, having its 4inner end turned downwardly, 'as at 58, :and vprojecting roller.

vSteam c'o'ndensingwithinthe roller'54 Willy colfleet, of course, iat the Y'bottom of said roller, 'in

tion 'of the rouen@ isileld always mllm- Beyond the roller there are journalled two tiiejiiquid revel within-th ner of specially treatedpaper l2 'are'isupported upon 'said shafts 7D, in theindicated manner,` and preferablyV two additional' shafts 'l3` V are journalled between end beifw the shafts 10,- 'subst'antiany the relation illustrated in Fig. 5, forsupport-V portion of said ing said paper rolls after the diameters of such rolls have been reduced substantially to their cores. Shafts 'I3 do not carry spacers like the disc 1l, but are positioned near enough to said spacers on the shafts 'l0 so that the rolls are held in desired positions.

I prefer to use heavy kraft paper coated, on one surface, With heat-sensitive adhesive material o'f-a "character well known in the art to which the present invention pertains. The strand 'i4 of paper is led from each roll beneath the shaft '1B nearer the heating roll 5ft, and thence over and around the heating roll, with its uncoated side in contact with such roll. The

Vadhesive 'material on the paper strand is rendered tacky by heat absorbed from the roll 54, and said 'strand is ledV thence into contact with the upper surface of the stream 'i5 of rock wool iiowing through the machine, vand beneath a compacting unit indicated Y generally by the reference nu- The unit 151s so positionedQwith relation to the conveyor 28, that it exerts a compacting lpressure upon the stream of material flowing between said iunitand said conveyor. As is clearly illustraftedin Figs. 6 and 7, the uprights 'Il are formed with vertical slots T9 in which are journalled oppositely projecting trunnionsf'lS. Shoes 8 2 c arsuitable' idler sprockets'and a sprocket carried'on a 'shaft"8 8 journalled'in the frame elements 23 Vand"extending transversely ofthe frame. .The

shaft 88 is driven by a chain 9 from a shaft 9U driven, Yin turn', by a chain 9| V'from a sprocket '92 "carriedon the shaft 24. Thus, the conveyor 8d is driven at all times when the conveyor 28 'i'sbeing driven;

1 -A' toorn assembly is trigliceridi-'generally Aby the -freference'nuiheral 93 VV(Fig. 1). Such assembly e'sa pairl of parallel, ltr-'ansversely`extend- VY- ing-bearn's 94 which prj'ectflaterally beyond the 'opposite ffsi'de's of the'fratrie.` Intermediate its ends, the boom assembly carries apair of brackets '951' (ligs.` *Zand l0) `eachof`-wliich is supported upon a pair of wheels 95 adapted to runfupon the 'inturned flanges ofthefframepmembers 23, 23. E referably, th e wheels 9`6 will-befas'sociated with-the brackets-5 5 through vertically extend- "ing'slots 91, each wheel'axially caryi'n'g-a bearing collar 9 8, (Fig. 2) against whichjengages a thrust pin '99 `threadedly associated with' the vbracket 95 and provided xt itlraJ 4lock nutf ll.

Through'themedium orthegthrust pins99', the

elevationof `the 4 boom 33 relative to the main frame of the'inachine'c'an be'adjusted, to some extent.. i

The jasseinbly Vwhereby transportation' of the b ooinfSS' longitudinally ofthe machine may be eiected '1s indicated, ger'ierallf'r "by thereference numeral il land `is illustrated in greatest detail infFig. 8. A pIatelQZ s'pansthe beamsill,I adjacent the-longitudinal median -plan'e of vthemain 'fineand 'Supports twon vertical, -spaced plates under an idler sprocket `sprocket H8 on the shaft 88, thence over a .sprocket |03 and |04 in which is journalled a shaft |05 and H is operatively associated with the wheel |08, and a hinged lever I engages the shoe |09 vwhile a second hinged lever I2 engages the shoe v| I0.

A tie-rod ||3 is adjustably fixed to the lever and projects freely through the lever H2, beyond which it is engaged by a rocker arm The remote end of the rocker arm H4 is engaged by the plunger H5 of a solenoid H6.

,Upon inspection of Fig. 8, it will be clear that, 4when the solenoid H6 is energized to draw its plunger H 5 downwardly, the arm H4 will rock .about the line of engagement of its downturned -end with the lever H2 to press inwardly against the upper end of said lever H2 and to pull upon the tie-rod H3. Thereby, the upper ends of the levers HI and H2 are moved toward each other -to press the shoes |09 and H0 against the periphery of the wheel |08 to hold said wheel, and

.f consequently the shaft |05, against rotation.

A chain ||1 passes over the sprocket |06 and H9, thence about a |23 on a shaft |24, under an idler sprocket |22, and thence about a sprocket on As has been explained, the shaft 88 is con- Istantly driven (Fig. 1) during operation of the conveyor 28. Thus, during operation of the con- 'veyor 28, the chain H1 will be constantly driven.

-So long as the solenoid H6 is deenergized the sprocket |06 and shaftJ |05 will rotate freely;

sprocket |06 will be held against rotation, and

`the boom assembly will be carried bodily with :the chain H1, in the direction of length of the 1. main frame.

The direction of rotation of the v,shaft 88 is such that, under these circumstances,

the boom assembly will be carried toward the output end of the machine; and the driving ratios are such that the rate of travel of the boom .will be identical with the rate of travel of the 'conveyor 28.

The shaft |2| is journalled (see Fig. l) limmediately at the output end of the main frame and is chain connected, at |25, to drive a counting unit |26.

' The Aunit |26 is commercially available, em-

bodies a switch, and is so constructed that, upon a predetermined number of revolutions of its input shaft, that switch will be' momentarily closed, whereafter the unit will reopen the switch and begin instantly to count again, to close the switch again upon the same number of shaft revolutions.

The mechanism is capable of being set to close the switch after any predetermined f. number of shaft revolutions between limits, for. instance 12 revolutions and 999 revolutions. The

details of construction of this unit form no part l.illustrated and described herein. .in the .organization of the present invention willr of the present invention, and therefore are not Its function appear hereinafter.

.Y vThe shaft |24 is to be seen in Figs. l, 2 and 8. It projects to one end of the boom assembly, where it carries a sprocket over which runs fa., chain |21 driving a sprocket on one of a series of rollers |28 (Figs. l, 2 and 9).

said rollers carries, inboard, a sprocket |29, and

Each of a chain |30 engages all of said sprockets. It

will be seen that the rollers |28 will be driven at all timesexcept when the solenoid H6 is ener- `6 gzed. When said solenoid is energized, rotation of the shaft |24 stops, since relative movement betweenthe chain |1 and the boom assemb1y93, upon which the shaft |24 isv journalled, is thereby arrested.V p Y As is clearly to be seeny in Fig. `5, the stream 15 of material being treated is carried over the rollers |28, being thereby lifted out of engagement, temporarily, with the conveyor 28. When the boom assembly 93 is stationary, the rollers |28 will be driven, and the proportioning of the parts is such as to drive those rollers at a peripheral speed corresponding to the lineal speed of the conveyor 28. When the boom assembly moves longitudinally ofthe machine, upon energization of the solenoid H6, the rollers |28 will be held against rotation, but will be bodily moved with the boom assembly, at the lineal velocity of the conveyor 28. Y

iSprings |3| are anchored, at one end, to the uprights 11. At their opposite ends, said springs carry pulleys |32 around which extend cables |33, each cable being anchored at one end, as at |34, to a frame member 23, and at its opposite end to the boom assembly 93. The boom assembly is moved toward the output end of the machine by the chain drive above described; but is returned toward the input end of the machine, upon deenergizaton of the solenoid H6, by the springs |3|.

Supported upon the boom for longitudinal movement with respect thereto is a transverse cutter assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral |35, to be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, and perhaps most fully illustrated in Fig. 10. Said assembly comprises a horizontal plate |36 extending beneath, and traversing, the two beams 94, and carrying side plates |31, |31 in each of which is journalled a pair of wheels |38, |38 running upon the outturned lower fianges of the beams 94. Depending from said plate |38 is a reversible, three-phase motor |39 whose spindleI |40 preferably projects axially therefrom in opposite directions to a considerable extent. Disc knife blades |4| are adjustably mountable upon either or both ends of said spindle, and in Fig. 11 I have illustrated one preferred means for securing said blades upon said spindle. If desired, the device illustrated in detail in Fig. 11 may be used, also, for adjustably securing the knives 50 upon the shaft 30.

A collar |42 is radially split, as at |43, and one section thereof is notched, as at |44 to accommodate the head |45 of a screw |45 extending through a chordal bore in said one section and threadedly engaging in an aligned socket in the other section of the collar. Said collar is formed with a coaxial sleeve |46 which is likewise radially slotted, and which is receivable upon the spindle |40. When the two sections of the collar and sleeve are separated, by opening the slot |43, the collar and sleeve are loose on the spindle |40, and may be readily adjusted thereabout or therealong. When, however, the collar and sleeve have been moved to desired position, the screw |45 may be tightened to draw the two sections of the collar together to bind the same in adjusted position rigidly on the spindle.

faeffors extend completely through theifoitesecti'n.of

:the *Sleeve l '56, the? disc |41- Vis threaded ontothe iient minime-knife blade At brina lthefsamerricportions 'of' the 'dise |211` against the engaged thread portions of the sleeve |46,"whereby`the "tireplate |375 (Fig-.110) ,i i *sprocket 53 (Fing. 1) jo nce passes f around -a alledear che end Yof sprocket |54 and the output shaft 'oa 'reduc- 'tieni-'gearl unit -i 56- driven-by a, reversible lthreefrinotoi |51, 'controlsthe-directien oi 'rotation'ef lsaid moto-.rY jin a manner which willl'l'a'terv appear,

' ward the -lef't,as viewed in Fig.7 2. ".S'aid camcomvbrises alsoa lewersurfajce 6'2 s'o `positioned that,

easily as the cam is shifted. #A long rod "|54 isleperativelyeoimect'edfto shift off thepath of thela'sser'riblyw $35,-.a`nd-an operating fsidemiafters ertheuass'embiy lee can-ies a proechin- 8 form if ineensv for securing `'the two ends :f the chain |52 t'o the'asse'lbly |35. As shownl,blek ITI isrf'xed-ly `mounted at one end of `the-plate |35, and a Apolygonal pin |72 yextends.*Slidably therethrough. A link of the hai'n 'fl 52 SfD'ii/fotd to the-pin '|2; and a coiled spring V|713"isfsl'e'ved -o'n s'aid pin, ccni'ned between the block and ahead fon the inner end of the bin |72. gives fa resilient connection betweenfthe chai-n and 'the assembly |35, whereby to take "up shock when 'the motor |51 is energized.

The Varms |66 and lina'y be ihount'e'diip'on adjustable carriages VM (Fig. I0). As` shown, eacnsuch carriage comprises an L-shaped `plate whose foot carries .ne or more clampingbolts projecting Vthrough a slot |75 'in the upper'ange of a beam S3, and elongated in thedire'ction'f length -of said beam. 4By adjustment Vofz the Car- Vrialges |15, of course, the peint in the Jtraiielvof the assembly ai; which the Cam |502W11-b' shiftedcan be varied. Preferably/Vient not'neee's'- sa'rilyfga'coritro'lbox |76 may-be mourite'd'at one 'end of4v the Trame; being. connected to a sorce of power through Sa cable' 75|.. .-A's showmfartube- |18 carries suitable leads to th'e stations at whih vpower is"re`quired. Fori'nstanceet auriiedian reel :unit 1 i B.: said reel Y .will fautoniaticallyzpay out, .and .takev in, acable |'8`| le'adingt the 'motor the boom 93.

Referring, now, to the wiringdiag'ramig,12, it win be'vs'eenthat ..1 have .nid-mates :une-wires' |92, |83' and |84- extending fi'orn aVv s'ource-ff power'. The .selector switch |58 lconfipri'ses lia shifted to 'circuitclosin'g .position..-u1on energize.- Y tionof the relay I9 When iniclosedpositiongthe from 'limewire |821 throuhswitehiarn isi-"contact |86, wire wire 20'3., bridge? |98, andrelay coils |97 and |99 to line wire |83.

',-Energizati'on of the relay |79Sisclosslljridgelemerits 2%;201 zand-mi2.v Y

.Asrhas Ibeenstated, the .unit '|5264closesits :switch only .rnomehtarilyy' and when? that Vswiteh reopens, the relay' 9| is deneig-ized,iwheebylthe switeh arms |93fand" |84` are .prnipztly returned to l'circuit#opening positions.

as follows: from line wire |82 through bridge 200, wire 204, wire 205, and wire'2'06, to one terminal of the three-phase reversible A. C. motor |39; from line wire |83 through bridge 20|, wire 249 and wire 250 to the opposite terminal of said motor; and from line wire |84 through bridge 202, wire 209, Wire 208, and wire 201 tothe intermediate terminal of said motor. The motor will thus be energized to drive the blades |4| in the most advantageous direction for cutting as the assembly |35 moves from the position illustrated in lFig. 1 to the opposite end of the' boom assembly 93. Concurrently with energization of the motor |39, the solenoid ||6 is energized through wires 2|0 and 2| I, connected, res-pectively, with wires 206 and 201, to actuate the brake |09, IIO to grip the chain |I1 against movement relativelto the boom. The boom begins, at once, to move toward the discharge end of the machine.

A switch 2 I2 is mounted upon a frame member v23 near the normal position of the boom 93. Said switch is biased to closed position, but is movable to open position by movement of a control arm 2I3 (Fig. 10) in a clockwise direction. Said arm 2|3 carries, at vits free end, a roller 2| 4 adapted to be engaged, as the boom 83 approaches its normal position vof rest, by a cam 2|5 carried on one of the brackets A95. When said cam is in engagement with said roller 2|4, the switch 2|2 will be held in open position. When the boom begins to move, in the manner above described, the cam 2|5 will be moved out of engagement with the arm 2|4, whereupon the switch 2|2 will be closed. Closure of said switch establishes a circuit from line wire |82 through bridge 200, wire 204, wire 205,'wire 2|6, wire 2|1, Wire 2|8, switch 2|2, and wire 2I9 to energize relaycoil 220 and relay coil 222, said circuit extending Vthrough wires 22|, 223,` 224, 208 and 209 through bridge 202 to line wire |84. Energization of the coils 220 and 222 will close bridge elements 225, 226, 221 and 228. The bridge element 225 establishes a holding circuit for the coils 220 and 222, independent of the switch 2 |2, but dependent upon the bridges 200 and 202 which, in turn, are dependent upon the selector switch |58. That holding circuit may be traced from line wire |82 through bridge 200, wire 204, wire 205, wire 2|6, wire 2|1, bridge 225, fcoil220, wire 22|, coil 222, wire 223, wire224, wire 208, wire 209, and bridge 202 to line wire |84.

Closure of the bridges 226, 221 and 228 establishes an energizing circuit for the reversible, three-phase A. C. motor |51, to drive said motor vin a direction to propel the assembly |35 toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1. That circuit'may be traced from line wire |82, through bridge 200, Wire 204, Wire 205, wire 2|6, bridge 228, and wire 229, to lone terminal `of said motor; from .line wire |83 through bridge 20|, wire 249, wire 230, bridge 226 and Wire 23| to the opposite terminal-of said motor; and from line wire |84 through bridge202, wire 209, wire 208, wire 224, bridge 221, and wire 232 to the intermediate terminal of said motor. Concurrently, a circuit is establishedthrough wires 233 and 235, connected, respectively, to wires 232 and 23|, to energize the relaycoil controlling the automatic brake 234 operatively associated with the motor |51. The construction of this brake is well known and vand is released by energization of its controlling circuit, so: that the rotor of motor |51 will be 10 promptly arrested upon deenergization of said motor.

It will be noted that there is a time lag, controlled by the switch 2|2, between energization of the motor |39 and energization of the motor |51. This time lag is provided in order to insure synchronization of the movement of the boom 93 with the movement of the stream of material 15 iiowing through the machine, and to permit the knives I4|, driven by the motor |39, to attain full cutting speed before they are moved into engagement with said stream.

As theboom 93 moves toward the discharge end of the machine and the assembly |35 moves transversely of the machine, the projection |10 will pass beneath the arm |66 without touching it and will ultimately engage the arm |68 to shift the same in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. Such movement of the arm |68 will shift the rod |64 to move the cam |60 toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2, thereby positioning the surface |62 in supporting relation to the roller carried upon the switch arm |59. As the surface |63 begins to move past the roller on the arm |59, the switch arm is moved out of engagement with the contact |86. Thus, 'the holding circuit through that switch arm for the relays |91 and |99 is broken, and Ithe bridges |98, 200, 20| and 202 are dropped into circuitopening positions. Thus, the energizing circuits for the motors |39 and |51 and for the solenoid ||6 are broken. The chain I |1 is free to move relative toy the boom, the motors come to rest, and the springs |3| return the boom 93 toits position of rest nearer the input end of the machine. The assembly |35 is left, beyond the lateral limits of the conveyor 28, at the lefthand end of the boom, as viewed in Fig. 1. As the 'boom nears its position of rest, the cam 2|5 engages the roller 2 I4 to open the switch 2 |2`.

It is to be noted that, as the boom 93 is returned by the springs |3| toward the input end of the machine, the rate at which the shaft |24 will be driven will depend not upon the absolute velocity of the chain II1, but upon the sum of that absolute velocity and the rate of travel of the boom toward the input end of the machine. Therefore, the rollers |28 will, during transit of the boom, be driven at a .peripheral velocity corresponding to the relative velocity between the conveyor 28 and the boom 93, thereby compensating for the movement of the boom and of the rollers |28 in a` direction oppositel to the direction of movement of the stream 15 of material passing over said rollers.

Meantime, the unit |26 has been counting shaft rotations, thereby measuring the iiow of material through the machine; and when the length rof material for which said unit is set has again passed the boom position of rest, the switch embodied in the unit |26 will again be momentarily closed to energize the relay coil |9 I.

Since the roller on the arm |59 now rests on the cam surface |52, the switch arm |85 will be in engagement with the contact |81. Therefore, closure of the switch |94 will establish a circuit from line wire |82 through switch arm |85, conta-ct |81, wire 236, switch arm |94, wire 231, relay 238, relay 239, wire 240,and wire 241 to line wire |83. Thereby, bridges 24|, 242, 243, and 244 will be moved to circuit-closing positions. A holding circuit for the relays 238 and 239 will thereby be established from line wire |82 through switch arm |85, contact |81, wire 236, wire 245, bridge 24|, relays 238 and 239, wire 240, and wire v 20.1' to theintermediate terminal of. the Amotor |39; and. line Wire..|S4.is:.connected by'wire 248, bridge 244, Wire ZliSiandWire. 250'to theopposite terminalof the; motor [39p Thereby,the'-motor 39:. is energized .to 1 rotate .in "the `opposite .directionM Of course, thegso'lennid |16 is. energizedy-as before, to; initiate. movement of Vthezzboom 19:3;to- Wardftheioutput end'of the machina.; f

Asjthe boom begins to move, ,.thesWitchLZ-fis again closed, inthe manner above described, to energize. the.Y relays 228. and :.22 2 A.to .establish the same holding'circuit'through thebridge 225 and toiclose the .bridges 225, 22.1 andiZZB. This time, the line Wire |82A is connected; ,through wire246, bridge A262;, Wire125, Wire12l6, Vbridge;22.8, and wire.22.91to; the same terminalpof Vthe motor|51to which it was previouslyconnected; but line Wire |83 is lconnected to the intermediate terminal of said 'motorthroughwire 241, bridge 2,43, Wire .29%, Wire 22.4, bridge 221 and Wire 232; While line Wire |34` 'isconne'cted' to theoppositeterminal of said motor vthrough Wire l2 48,?bridge 2 44, Wire V249, YWire 230 bridge 2264 and wire 23|. Therebyl the motorfl'l is driven'in the Voppositedirection'to return .thte .assembly |35 from the '.le'fthand .end

of .the-boom' 93 to the position; illustrated in Fig. I

spindle. |49; So long assections-having a length l;

not greater than the overall length of the spindle |40, and not less than the axial dimension of the motor |39; are to be cut, two transverse cuts can be made simultaneously, .upon each pass ofthe Ward and awayfrom. each other. But ii longer or shorter lengths are to. be cut, -oneof theknives |4|Will lbe removed from' theassembly, anda single .cut will be madezupon veach pass.`

I claim as my invention:

l. In a machine' of the classdescribed, conveyor'means for passing' ya stream of material longitudinally through the machine, and vmeans for transversely cutting vsuch stream during passage thereof through themachine, comprisingV a boom extending transversely of themachine'and laterally beyond bothedges of'saidxconveyor, a carriage supported on said. boom for travelsub stantiallyfrom end to end thereof, arotary `rinife supported on said carriage'for rotationupon an axis parallel with the' line of travel of such stream, means periodically operative to drive'said ybobmdn synchronism With such stream, means,

.series of parallel rollers carriedvon said boom and .arranged on axes disposed in av common plane immediately above said conveyor, said stream of Cif material being guided to ow over fsad.- rollersi andmeanszor. driving said, rollersat la peripheral speed andgin a direction corresponding to the lineal-,movement ofsaid conveyor while said boomis; at rest, and for arrestingxotatiodof said rollers While said boom travels in synchrof ni'smwith said: conveyor.

2.; In a.. machine of'thecl'ass descriheone veyor, means Afor passingyal stream of..material longitudinally through thefmachine;v and .means for. transversely cutting suchstream during;` passage thereof through the machine,4 comprising `a boom extending transversely of the: machine vand laterally beyond both edges of said .conveyonga carri-age supported on. said boom `for; travel substantiallyfrom end toend thereof, agrotaryfknife supported onsaid carriage-.for rotation upon an aXis.A parallelv vvith the line.l ,of` travel of such stream, means.y periodicallyV operative.` todrive said boom in synehronismwith such stream. means, operativeduring such boom travel, to drive said,;carriage fromv one extreme position to its opposite extreme position thereon, means for-,rotating saidknife` during travel :of said carriagepaseries of, parallel rollers carried, on samef'boom and arranged on axes disposed4 in a common plane; immediately above said conveyor, said streamsofV material being guided Y to ilow over said` rollers, and means-for-driving said rolle ers'at a peripheral speed and in a directioncorrespondingto the relative lineal movementbetween saidl conveyor jand said boom; at all tim-es.`

3 The -machine of c-laim lin .Whichsaidknite proj ects between.V tvvo adjacent f rollers.;v

4. 1In-.amachinefof vthe class described, Vcon-- veyor, means forpassing; a streaniof material longitudinally; through the machine,L and vmeans for transversely cuttingsuchfstreamduring passages thereof n through the machine, ,compri-sing; a boom extending transversely ofithe machine-and laterallyfbeyond both :edges 'of said c.onveyor,;a carriage supported -on'said boom .fortravelesubstantially from end toend thereof, a. rotary-knife supported onsaid Vcarriage `for rotation upon lan axis 1- parallel with the line of travel. of; such stream, an endless chain. having a run extending .parallel With the line of movement of-saidoonveyor, means -fordriving saidA run continuously in synchronism VWith said conveyor, a sprocket loosely journalled ,onssaid boom upon an axis transverseto said run, .said sprocket meshing with.. said run, .and means for brakingsaid sprocket against rotatori.-

5.,.I1rthe machne of claimfl, a seriesof Vparalle rollers'arranged on saidboom on axestraversing the direetion of movementof said .conveyor and disposed lin a common plane immediately vabove said 'conveyor to support aportion of said stream oimaterial, a. shaft ljournalled onsaid booma sprocket fixed to said shaft and meshing with said chain,` and a drive train connectingfsaid shaft to drivesaid rollers.

6. The machine of claim 4 in which said braking' means includes electrically-actuated means operable, when energized, to brake said sprocket.

7. Ina machine of the class described, conveyor means for passing a stream of material longitudinally through the machine, and means for transversely cutting such stream during passage thereof through the'rnachine, comprising a boornextending ltransversely of the machineand laterally beyond both edges of said conveyor-,a

carriage supported on said boom fortravel substantially'from end to end thereof, a rst electric motor operatively connected to drive said carriage, a rotary knife supported on said carriage for rotation upon an axis parallel with the line of travel of such stream, a second electric motor operatively connected to drive said knife, an endless chain having a run extending parallel with the line oi movement of said conveyor, means for driving said run continuously in synchronism with said conveyor, a sprocket loosely journalled on said boom upon an axis transverse to said runand meshing with said run, braking means for said sprocket, electrically-actuated means operable when energized, to actuate said braking means to arrest rotation of said sprocket, an energizing circuit for said second motor, and an energizing circuit for said electrically-actuated means connected in parallel with said motorenergizing circuit. l

8. The machine of claim 7 including an energizing circuit for said first motor and means preventing closure of said last-named circuit until after said electrically-actuated means has been energized.

9. The machine of claim 7 including an energizing circuit for said rst motor, a switch dominating said last-named circuit, and means for holding said last-named switch open during initial movement of said boom.

10. The machine of claim 7 in which said boom is caused to travel, when said sprocket is braked, from a position of rest to a position nearer the discharge end of the machine, said machine including an energizing circuit for said first motor, a switch dominating said last-named circuit, and means carried by said boom and cooperating with said switch, when said boom is in its position of rest, to hold said switch open.

11. The machine o claim 7 in which said boom is caused to travel, when said sprocket is braked, from a position of rest to a position nearer the discharge end of the machine, said machine including means carried by said carriage and operable, as said carriage approaches the limit of its travel, to break the energizing circuit for said electrically-actuated means, and spring means operable upon release of said braking means to return said boom to its position of rest.

12. The machine of claim 10 including means carried by said carriage and operable, as said carriage approaches the limit of its travel, to break the energizing circuit for said electricallyactuated means, and spring means operable upon release of said braking means to return said boom to its position of rest.

13. In a machine of the class described, conveyor means for passing a stream of material longitudinally through the machine, and means for transversely cutting such stream during passage thereof through the machine, comprising a boom extending transversely of the machine and laterally beyond both edges of the conveyor, a carriage supported on said boom for travel substantially from end to end thereof, a rotary knife supported on said carriage for rotation upon an axis parallel with the line of travel of such stream, means periodically operative to drive said boom in synchronism with such stream, a rst reversible electric motor mounted on said boom and operatively connected to drive said carriage reversely along said boom, a second reversible electric motor mounted on said carriage and operatively connected to drive said knife reversely, forward energizing circuits for said motors, reverse energizing circuits for said motors, and a selector switch shiftable between opposite positions and effective to select, alternatively, the forward circuits for both motors or the reverse circuits for both motors.

14. The machine of claim 13 including an actuator for said selector switch and means operatively associated with said actuator and engageable by said carriage, as said carriage moves along said boom in either direction to reverse the position of said selector switch.

l5. In a machine of the character described, a trackway, a carriage mounted on said trackway for travel thereon, a reversible electric motor operatively connected to drive said carriage in either direction on said trackway, a forward energizing circuit for said motor, a reverse energizing circuit for said motor, a selector switch shiftable between opposite positions and effective to select, alternatively, said forward circuit or said reverse circuit, an elongated element disposed adjacent said trackway and shiftable oppositely longitudinally thereof, a lever pivotally mounted adjacent one end of the path of said carriage, and operatively connected to move with said element, a second lever pivotally mounted adjacent the other end of said path and operatively connected to move with said element, said element being operatively associated with said switch to shift the latter oppositely between its opposite positions upon opposite movements of said element, and means on said carriage and engageable with one of said levers, as said carriage nears an end of its path, to shift said element, thereby reversing the position of said switch, moving said one level` out of the path of said means, and moving the other lever into the returning path of said means.

16. In the machine of claim 15, a rotary knife journalled on said carriage, a second reversible electric motor mounted on said carriage and operatively connected to drive said knife, a forward energizing circuit for said second motor, and a reverse energizing circuit for said second motor, said switch being connected to select the forward energizing circuits for said motors concurrently and to select the reverse energizing circuits for said motors concurrently.

17. The organization of claim 15 in which said switch is provided with an operating arm and said elongated means is connected to a cam, said cam being shiftable with said element and providing two surfaces, located in separate planes and joined by an inclined surface, said two surfaces being alternatively associable with said arm to shift said switch between its opposite positions.

EARL R. OVERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,062,814 Bernhardt May 27, 1913 1,713,309 Upson May 14, 1929 1,797,638 Collins Mar. 24, 1931 2,149,025 Marion Feb. 28, 1939 2,159,282 Marino May 23, 1939 2,190,638 Talbot Feb. 13, 1940 2,203,260 I-lallden June 4, 1940 2,273,533 Mather Feb. 17, 1942 2,295,971 Savidge Sept. 15, 1942 2,334,235 Aaron Nov. 16, 1943 2,373,500 Pearce Apr. 10, 1945 2,395,169 Crane Feb. 19, 1946 2,427,167 Thompson Sept. 9, 1947 

